What this change means
The second and top lines move, and water gathers within the earth: the figure becomes 7 The Army. The top line leads. Adversity is giving way bit by bit and turning into opportunity, like the great fruit that isn't eaten and can still seed something new. The second line explains the hardship you're leaving: resources and help were too thin, and the only option was to wait. The resulting hexagram says the favorable answer now comes from discipline and organization. Face the situation directly, speak clearly, and say what you want without trying to force it on anyone. In other words, the scattered resources you lacked can be gathered through order. Organize what you have, look after the people who work with you, and move with structure rather than impulse.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 6 of 23 The Fall
Little by little the adverse situations will give way, and gradually adversity will turn into opportunity.
A great fruit left uneaten. The noble person gains a carriage; the petty person's hut is stripped.
- Line 2 of 23 The Fall
Resources and help aren't enough right now. All you can do is wait for better conditions.
The bed is stripped at the frame. Constancy is destroyed: misfortune.
- The judgment of 23 The Fall
It's a time of obstacles and difficulties when, even if you're right, your words aren't believed. Lesser people who misuse power are on the rise, and you could become their victim. Recognizing this time without trying to push ahead, and being generous and giving toward those beneath you, will help you hold on while circumstances change.
It is not favorable to have somewhere to go.
- The judgment of 7 The Army
Whatever your question, the favorable answer comes from acting with discipline and organization: face the situation head-on and speak clearly, say what you want, without trying to impose it.
The constancy of a seasoned leader brings good fortune. No fault.
The trigrams
The way back
7 The Army → 23 The Falllines 2 and 6
Other transformations of The Fall
- 41Decreaselines 1 and 2
- 22Good Mannerslines 1 and 3
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 2 and 3
- 21Bitinglines 1 and 4
- 64Transitionlines 2 and 4
- 56The Travelerlines 3 and 4
- 42Increaselines 1 and 5
- 59Release from Obstacleslines 2 and 5
- 53Gradual Progresslines 3 and 5
- 12Declinelines 4 and 5
- 24Coming Backlines 1 and 6
- 15Simplicitylines 3 and 6
- 16Passionlines 4 and 6
- 8Unionlines 5 and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.